Cotonou, April 4, 2025 – Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN, lately appointed Consultant of the World Well being Group (WHO) in Benin, formally introduced his crendentials on Friday, April 4, 2025, to His Excellency Mr. Olushegun Adjadi BAKARI, Minister of International Affairs of the Republic of Benin. Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN thus turns into the 12th WHO Resident Consultant in Benin since 1961.
The official ceremony, which befell on the Ministry’s premises in Cotonou, offered a chance for Minister Olushegun Adjadi BAKARI to warmly congratulate Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN on his appointment. He emphasised the significance of cooperation between Benin and WHO, describing the group as an important strategic accomplice within the struggle towards communicable illnesses, strengthening the well being system, and enhancing the dwelling circumstances of the Beninese inhabitants.
The Minister reaffirmed the dedication of the Beninese Authorities to sustaining fruitful cooperation with WHO, in respect of the nation’s sovereignty and the strategic priorities outlined within the Authorities Motion Program (PAG 2021-2026). “Well being is without doubt one of the three important pillars of the Beninese Authorities’s program, and throughout the framework of the upcoming five-year motion cycle, these priorities can be strengthened by a world well being strategy aimed toward guaranteeing entry to high quality care all through the life cycle,” defined the Minister of International Affairs.
For his half, Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN conveyed greetings from WHO Director-Common Dr. Tedros Adhanom GHEBREYESUS, in addition to from the Appearing Regional Director of the WHO Regional Workplace for Africa, Dr. Chikwe IHEKWEAZU. He expressed his delight in serving Benin at an important second for the nation, marked by well being challenges but additionally nice alternatives for sustainably strengthening the well being system.
Throughout his assembly with the Minister of International Affairs, Dr. KONAN acknowledged: “Taking up the mission entrusted to me in a world context marked by main well being challenges and a decline in public improvement help is a accountability I embrace with willpower.” He continued, “Greater than a dedication, it’s a requirement to strengthen the cooperation between WHO and the Authorities of Benin so that each Beninese man and lady can benefit from the basic proper to well being.”
He additionally shared his imaginative and prescient for well being in Benin, emphasizing the significance of a bolstered partnership with the federal government and different technical and monetary companions. “In shut collaboration with the Ministry of Well being, I intend to work towards making well being an efficient proper for each citizen. Collectively, we are going to construct a sturdy, accessible, and resilient well being system, by implementing the WHO Nation Cooperation Technique with Benin 2023-2027,” he declared.
Certainly, the WHO Nation Cooperation Technique with Benin 2023-2027 is predicated on 4 strategic motion pillars: guaranteeing efficient common well being protection, strengthening well being emergency preparedness and response, accelerating the struggle towards communicable and noncommunicable illnesses, and serving to to construct a resilient and sustainable well being system.
The 2 leaders mentioned collaboration priorities, together with the struggle towards communicable and noncommunicable illnesses, public well being emergency administration, and enhancing entry to high quality healthcare for all segments of the Beninese inhabitants.
Dr. KONAN, a public well being doctor with over 25 years of expertise, additionally highlighted the significance of useful resource mobilization and strategic alliances to show these ambitions into concrete actions and tangible outcomes.
His appointment as WHO Consultant in Benin is seen as an necessary step in strengthening the cooperation hyperlinks between WHO and Benin, for a future the place well being will turn into a key pillar of improvement and collective well-being. His experience can be an asset to help Benin in attaining the Sustainable Improvement Aim (SDG 3).
